The urge to get something pierced is an unusual feeling. One minute you are happy with what you have pierced already (or don't) and the next you can't imagine yourself without that brand new mod.
At A Glance Author Alysha Contact Alysha@bme.anon When It just happened Artist a nice girl Studio a chemist Location Melbourne Australia I already had my navel, labret, nipple and tongue done (in that order) and was starting to itch for that needle to flesh feeling, so I dropped in on BME (like ever other day) to find my latest inspiration.
I had always liked the look of a monroe, as well as medusa's, so the choice was between the two. After hours of looking at pictures and weighing up the cons of each I had made my choice. I had to have a monroe.
So off i trotted in to the City because I had a class later that night. I'd heard from a friend about a place that was doing piercings for $50. I thought it would be kind of lower standard but the parlor (which turned out to be a chemist) was actually really well set up and was probably the cleanest place I've ever had a piercing done.
It was getting late by the time I got there but I was pumped, I wanted it done then and there. Unfortunately there were two guys there from another country who were in line before me so I thought I was going to have to miss out.
But, of course, me being me, I just had to hang around in case one of them chickened out. Ah huh! Success! One doesn't have his I.D (he had to be over 18 to have his nipple done) so I'm in. Well actually they end up letting him get it done but I was already in the door by that time.
I never feel really nervous about a piercing until i see the needle. I hate them. I refuse to have injections. But I voluntarily put holes in my body. Go figure.
So anyway, I take a seat and scope out the room. Everything is still packaged and everything that touches my skin is thrown away, such as the toothpick dipped in ink she uses to mark the spot.
After marking me, she asks me to have a look. Quite unhappy with the placement. If I'd let her pierce the spot she chose, I'd look like I forgot to wipe my mouth all the time. Then comes the worst part of all. The mouthwash. That stuff burns! And doesn't taste nice mixed with coffee either.
So now I've been marked and I'm all minty fresh, it's time.
I'm told to lay down and relax. Ha. I'm never relaxed, least of all when there is a stranger coming at me with a sharp object. Even if I paid for them to do it.
Surprisingly enough, the clamp was mostly painless. Then I was told I was going to feel a prick and then a sharp sting. One thing I have noticed is the different types of pain I experience with piercings in different areas of my body. My nipple and navel were more of a burn whereas my face seems to be more of a sting.
I couldn't have been happier, the monroe felt least painful of any I've had. Almost the quickest too. Gotta love that. I'm told to breath slowly. I realise I'm panting like a racehorse. Attractive.
Generally, ring insertion usually hurts me more than the piercing, but I didn't even feel this. I sat up, pleased but queasy. I think I had swallowed some mouthwash. Ick.
Come to think of it, I wasn't given any aftercare instructions except being told that monroe's have a tendency to swell more than a labret. I think the lack of information was due to the fact the piercer could already see 2 other piercings on my face and assumed I knew how to look after a new piercing. Besides, the had given my friend information when she went, as this was her second attempt at her navel.
It's now over 24 hours later, and the piercing doesn't seem too happy. Nothing dramatic, just the swelling I was told to expect. Quite a lot of it. Possibly the most I've had apart from my tongue but I think that's mostly due to the fact the back of the bar got stuck under my teeth and pulled a bit.
A little bit red around the hole itself, but it hasn't bled or crusted at all which is helpful.
As for aftercare, I'm cleaning around the hole very gently with a fresh cotton bud and rinsing if I eat something that gets caught up in the with the ring. I'm generally not one for rinses, but if your piercer suggests it, make sure you do it!!!
I hate the long stud that's in at the moment, but naturally due to swelling, to have anything smaller would be silly. Not to mention painful and possibly dangerous. I can't wait to get a short, pretty stud with a tiny gem.
Having a new piece of metal in my face when I look at myself is a little strange, and sometimes I have second thoughts (especially when old people move their handbags away from me) but suddenly a little bit of vamp comes out, I flick my hair back...and strut.
If anyone wants to contact me for advice or just a chat, give me a shout.